[Alffe]

O! that this too too solid flesh would melt,
Thaw and resolve itself into a dew;
Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd
His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God! O God!
How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this world.

-William Shakespeare

This is a state of depression with which we all are probably familiar. We would like to be removed from all awareness. We may think about suicide. Nothing feels good. Nothing tastes good. Nothing appeals to us. Nothing at all.

When this mood descends like a dark cloud, it is helpful to remember that we have felt like this before, the others have felt like this before - and that the mood will pass.

We may help move it away - though it may be hard to muster energy for that - by doing something physically demanding, like going for a strenuous walk, or for a swim. Or by tending some plants. Or talking with a friend. Or cooking. Anything to get us into a different frame of mind.

One friend suggested that at such times it was helpful to her to repeat the phrase "The worst is over." It might be worth a try.

--Healing After Loss by Martha Whitmore Hickman